Foster Carers share festive memories

Cheshire East foster carers share festive memories in new video

Foster carers from Cheshire East Council have shared the benefits of fostering during the festive season in a new video, supporting the plea for more residents to take up fostering in the borough.

The video features three Cheshire East foster carers – Janet, Carol, Saro and Maureen – exploring the benefits of fostering during the festive season, sharing their holiday traditions, fondest memories and highlighting what fostering means to them at Christmas.

Cheshire East, which currently holds 137 fostering households carers within the borough and has 529 cared for children, is looking for more foster carers to come forward and reap the rewards of a selfless and fulfilling career.

No professional experience or training is essential to take up fostering, just the right qualities and commitment. The only requirements for residents are to possess a spare room (when fostering those over the age of three) and be over the age of 21.

Key benefits including a generous salary and allowance, ongoing training, supportive community and flexibility around life commitments, alongside entertainment vouchers, a dedicated supervising social worker, and more.

The council also runs a generous referral scheme, where foster carers can receive £500 if they refer a friend who progresses to become a foster carer for the council.

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East’s children and families committee, said: “This heartwarming video offers excellent insight into the advantages of fostering and the different experiences of our foster carers, who go above and beyond to support some of the borough’s vulnerable children in need.

“Seeking out new foster carers is important all year round, but it’s particularly key to highlight during the festive period, as Christmas can be challenging for children and young people who, for a number of reasons, are unable to be with their birth families during the holidays.

“We have many cared for children in the borough who need a loving, stable home, and during this period of reflection, we’re urging residents to consider if they have a spare place at the table next Christmas.

“Our Cheshire East foster carers receive close contact and ongoing support not just with our fostering team and dedicated social workers, but with other existing and experienced foster carers, with regular events and social outings to help everyone to support each other.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our existing Cheshire East foster carers for their continued commitment to supporting our most vulnerable children and young people, offering their love, support and security all year round.”

The video can be found on Cheshire East’s Foster Site

For more information about fostering you can email enquiry@foster4.co.uk, visit the Foster4 website or call 03456460098.